Pony tail wrap

ABSTRACT

The invention is an apparatus and method for creating a hairstyle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of devices and methods forshaping human hair, and more particularly to devices and methods forbinding human hair in a styled position.

PROBLEM STATEMENT Interpretation Considerations

This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discussesproblems encountered in the technical field. This section does notdescribe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation orobviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus,nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art.

Discussion

Because hair receives a great deal of attention in the human quest forbeauty and attention, inventors frequently look for new ways to stylehair. In that quest, a number of mechanical devices, such as hair-clips,and a number of styling methods, such as braiding, have been developed.Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method forstyling human hair in a new manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description. To betterunderstand the invention, the detailed description should be read inconjunction with the drawings and tables, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive pony tail wrap.

FIG. 2 shows the pony tail wrap attached to a pony tail with the stripmember shown in a first extended open position.

FIG. 3 shows the pony tail wrap attached to a pony tail with the stripmember shown in a second cylindrical position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pony tail wrap with the pony tail looped backthrough the pony tail wrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Interpretation Considerations

When reading this section (which describes an exemplary embodiment ofthe best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), oneshould keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplaryembodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode forpracticing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, sinceone of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the followingexemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures orsubstantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results inexactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilarway, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted aslimiting the invention to one embodiment.

Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the inventionare provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in theart may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a followingexemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure orsubstantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the sameresults in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results ina not dissimilar way.

Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokesthe genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well asrelated species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genusinvokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized thatas technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achievean aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are herebyincorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized asbeing functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspectshown or described.

Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified bythe claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts,functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not beinterpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described andidentified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should beinterpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act,unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that“tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning,riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling,gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, suchas “attaching”).

Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as“or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should beinterpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words“means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader's understandingof the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112,paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for—functioning—” or“step for—functioning—” in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention isalso described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, theclaims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, unknown,foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word usedin the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of thelanguage and the word, unless indicated otherwise.

It should be noted in the following discussion that acts with like namesare performed in like manners, unless otherwise stated. Of course, theforegoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarificationpurposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given theirordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise. The numerousinnovative teachings of present application are described withparticular reference to presently preferred embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive hair wrap 100. The hair wrap 100 isgenerally comprised of a hair tie 110 that is coupled to a strip member130. Generally, a hair tie (or ponytailer, ponytail holder, or hairband) is a small, stretchy band used to fasten hair, particularly longhair, into a hairstyle (usually a ponytail). Typically, a hair tiecomprises an elastic interior and a cover of cloth or other material toreduce the tendency of hair to get caught in the elastic and pulled outof one's scalp. Accordingly, it can be said that the hair tie 110typically has an elastic interior portion and a non-abrasive coveringsuch as nylon, silk, or fabric, for example.

The strip member 130 is a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strippositionable in a first generally planar position, and a secondgenerally cylindrical position. When in the second generally cylindricalposition, the strip member is said to have an interior surface 132 andan exterior surface 134 which is in some embodiments ornamental, and thehair tie 110 is attached to the interior surface 132 of the stripmember. The strip member 130 may be made of any material that hasanisotropic properties, and is preferably metal or a plastic.

Accordingly, a user may perceive the strip member 130 to be similar to aslap-bracelet (or snap bracelet). Generally, a slap bracelet is abracelet consisting of layered, flexible stainless steel or plasticbistable spring bands sealed within a fabric or plastic cover. Thebracelet can be straightened out, creating tension within the springymetal bands. The straightened bracelet can be slapped against thewearer's wrist, causing the bands to spring back to form a cylindricalshape that wraps around the wrist.

The hair tie 110 and the strip member 130 are attached via an attachment120, such as an adhesive. However, in alternative embodiments theattachment 120 is an attaching member that may be separately glued tothe interior surface 132 of the strip member 130, or may be integrallyformed with the strip member 130 on the interior surface 132. In oneembodiment the attaching member includes a hook.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of creating hair styles.FIG. 2 shows the hair wrap 100 attached to hair 200 (a pony tail) withthe strip member 130 shown in a first extended open position. To get tothis position a user grasps a hair wrap 100 and secures hair 200 to thehair wrap 100 by pulling hair through the hair tie 110. Next, the stripmember 130 is articulated into the second generally cylindricalposition. FIG. 3 shows the hair wrap 100 attached to hair 200 with thestrip member 130 shown in the second cylindrical position to create apony tail.

Alternatively, a user may pull their hair 200 through the strip member130 portion of the hair wrap 100 while in the second generallycylindrical position. FIG. 4 illustrates the pony tail wrap 100 withhair 200 of the pony tail looped back through the hair wrap 100.

Though the invention has been described with respect to specificpreferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the presentapplication. Specifically, the invention may be altered in ways readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the presentdisclosure. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims andtheir equivalents be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of theprior art to include all such variations and modifications.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for creating a hairstyle, comprising: a hair tie, the hair tie comprising elastic interior portion and having a non-abrasive covering; a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strip member positionable in a first generally planar position, and a second generally cylindrical position; when in the second generally cylindrical position, the strip member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the hair tie being attached to the interior surface of the strip member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member comprises a metal strip.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member comprises a plastic strip.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive covering is nylon.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive covering is silk.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive covering is a fabric.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hair tie and the strip member are attached via an adhesive.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hair tie and the strip member are attached via an attaching member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member interior surface has a hair tie attachment feature integrally formed thereon.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the attachment feature comprises a hook.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member interior surface has a hair tie attachment feature glued thereto.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface comprises ornamental decoration.
 13. A method of creating a hair style, comprising: grasping a hair wrap, the hair wrap comprising a hair tie, the hair tie comprising elastic interior portion and having a non-abrasive covering; a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strip member positionable in a first generally planar position, and a second generally cylindrical position; when in the second generally cylindrical position, the strip member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the hair tie being attached to the interior surface of the strip member; the strip member being in the first generally planar position; securing the hair wrap to hair by pulling hair through the hair tie; and articulating the strip member into the second generally cylindrical position.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising pulling the hair through the strip member in the second generally cylindrical position. 